Ear protector



4, 1943. c. E. coLE 2,327,620

EAR PROTECTOR Filed April 13, 1942 IN VENTOR CWfl/iLf-S 5 601K Patented Aug. 24, 1 943 PATENT, OFFICE] sinn rno'rnc'roa iormnsfn;gobl; ma nes a; i an April- 13, 1942;SerietHNor4B8J72'4 JTflah ai (elites-15.1) I

This inven'tion'relates generally to hearing da vices, and particularly to an ear protectori,

The main object of this inventionds'to provide a simple and highly efiicient mean'sdor sl'ruttmg out from the hearing mechanism of the ear, loud sounds which might otherwise be detrimental to the'hearingmechanism.

The second object is to utilize an ear mold which hermetically fits the ear opening, as a means for supporting a closure which may fully or partially prevent the passage of sounds through the mold to the ear.

These and other objects are accomplished in the manner set forth in the following specification, as illustrated in the accompanying drawing,

Fig. 9 is a section taken along the line 8-8 in Fig. 8. Before entering into an explanation of this of the de- Extending axially through the member Hlis a-'tapering recess '26 "in which 'is disposed 'a'pl-ug 2| which is integral with the cover 22 whose cyl-inil'rieal portion 23+extends around thei side' of the isc member L5; l the member I B' -is' tonned araaiai opening 24 which connects with the opening 25 in the plug 2! which in turn connects with the opening 2l--A which extends along the axis of the plug 2!. The member i5 is provided with a flattened side 26 at the outer end of the opening 24 to form a laterally extending passageway 21 through which sounds may enter and pass through the openings 24, 25 and 2IA into the ear when the parts are in the position shown in Figs. 4 and 5.

The cover 22 is provided with an arcuate slot 28 through which extends the body 29 of the screw 30 which thus serves to limit the relative movement of the member 2| and also to retain the plug 2! in position in its opening.

' It will be understood that the illustrations made in Figs. 3 to '7 are very much enlarged for the purpose of better illustrating the invention.

The operation of the'device is as follows: When an artillery man, for example, or anyone desiring to protect his ears against extremely invention, it must be understood that the basis thereof is the ear mold in shown in Figs. 1 and 2, which must be of a type made to exactly fit the ear opening of the wearer, this being usually accomplished by first making a wax impression of the ear and then forming a matrix in which is formed a plastic mold I!) which closely fits the ear opening and owing to its irregular contour, will not shake or fall out of position in the ear.

The member [0 is identical with those employed in the better types of hearing aids, and contains a metallic bushing ll whose opening I2 is connected by the passageway l3 to the tip M which is inserted furthermost into the ear opening.

Referring particularly to my invention, same will be seen to consist of a circular disc 15 having a projecting button it adapted to snap into the bushing ll thereby retained by the spring H.

In order to hold the member I5 against rotation with relation to the member ID, a screw point I8 is embedded in the member l5 and fits loosely into an opening IS in the member Ill.

loud noises, wishes to do so, he has merely to turn the member 22 to the position shown in Fig. 6, thereby making it impossible for sounds to travel to the ear. He does this merely by rotating the member 2| and when he wishes to increase his ability to hear, he merely turns the member 2| toward the position shown in Fig. 4.

In the form of the device shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the valve plug 3| is fitted directly in the ear mold 32 and the canal 33 connects the passageway 34 of the plug l3 with the exterior of the ear mold. In this case a groove 35 is formed around the plug 31 and the groove 35 is providedwith fiat areas 35 and 3'! against which bears the spring 38, one end of which is secured by. the screw 39, and the intermediate portion of which is held by the pin 4!].

The purpose of this construction is simply to insure the plug 3i being in either closed or open position. The operating key or handle ll is formed on the outer end of the plug 3 I.

I While it is a well known fact that it has been a, common practice to insert plugs into the ear openings, such expedients are not entirely satisfactory as they do not completely fit the ear owing to its irregular shape, but with my device, an easily operable valve is provided which hermetically controls theear opening, and this valve is capable of being operated in any position from the wide open to the fully closed positions. I am aware that many modifications may be made in the details of the construction without departing from the spirit of this construction. I therefore do not intend to be limited to the precise forms shown herein, but intend to cover all such forms as fall fairly within the appended claims.

I claim;

1. The combination of an ear mold hermetically fitted into a given ear opening, said mold having a snap ring connection therein, a valve base mounted on said mold having a snap 5 ring projection formed thereon adapted to occupy the snap ring connection on said mold, means for preventing the rotation of said base on said mold, a valve mounted in said base valve plug having limit stops in the wide open and fully closed positions.

3. In a'device of the class described, a cylindrical base having a snap-on projection on one side thereof along the base axis and having a tapering valve seat formed therethrough with 'the small end extending into said snap-on projection, a valve plug occupying said seat, a cap attached to said plug and extending around the 'edge of the base, said base and valve plug having radial openings therein adapted to register with each other or to be turned out of registering position, said base having a passageway for sound waves formed therein along the outer end of a radial opening in the direction of the snapon side of the base. f

CHARLES E. COLE. I 

